Europe (Washington Insider Magazine) – March 30, 2025 — Most Europeans woke up on Sunday to clocks moved one hour forward, as daylight saving time in Europe officially began. Despite growing criticism and previous EU efforts to abolish the system, the decades-old practice remains in place across much of the continent.
Every year, clocks across Europe are adjusted forward by one hour on the last Sunday of March and back by one hour on the last Sunday of October. This weekend marked another shift, with Central European Time (CET) changing to Central European Summer Time (CEST), and the UK switching from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to British Summer Time (BST).
Origins and Purpose of Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time (DST) was originally introduced in Germany during World War I to conserve energy by extending daylight hours in the evening. The practice spread across Europe, resurfaced during World War II, and was again adopted widely during the 1970s oil crisis.
The main aim was to reduce energy consumption, but the effectiveness of this goal has since been questioned. Nonetheless, European countries have maintained the biannual clock changes ever since.
Divided Opinions and EU Inaction
The practice has faced growing opposition over the years. Critics argue that DST disrupts sleep patterns, harms public health, and causes confusion across sectors. Research also links it to economic losses and medical issues, including increased risk of heart attacks shortly after the change.
In 2018, the European Union launched an open consultation that attracted nearly 4 million responses, with a majority voting in favor of ending daylight saving time. The European Parliament backed a proposal in 2019 to end the practice. However, resistance from some member states and other priorities—such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and trade tensions—led to the proposal stalling.
Poland Seeks to Reignite the Discussion
Poland, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, has indicated that it intends to revisit the issue. A spokesperson from the Polish presidency said informal consultations will be held to determine if momentum exists to move the proposal forward.
“As the clock is ticking, we will take our time to assess the situation,” said the Polish government, acknowledging the political divide within the 27-member bloc.
Global Trends: Daylight Saving Losing Favor
While Europe continues to debate, many countries around the world have already eliminated daylight saving time. Russia, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Uruguay, and Azerbaijan are among those that have scrapped the practice in the past decade. According to the Pew Research Center, only about a third of countries worldwide still observe DST, most of them in Europe.
Egypt, which abolished daylight saving in 2014, reintroduced it in 2023 in a bid to reduce energy usage once more.
Outlook: No End in Sight for Clock Changes in Europe
Despite the persistent controversy and overwhelming public disapproval shown in past consultations, daylight saving time in Europe appears set to continue—at least for now. While some EU governments and citizens are eager to eliminate the practice, political will remains fragmented, and major geopolitical issues continue to dominate the bloc’s agenda.
As Europeans adjust to their new schedules this week, the biannual time change serves as a reminder that even the simplest policies can be surprisingly hard to change.
